#16 - Mars Myths, Money, and Hard Truths with Zach Weinersmith
Is Mars our next home—or just a sci-fi fantasy? In today’s episode, host Marcus Arredondo chats with Zach Weinersmith, co-author of A City on Mars, who breaks down the real challenges of space colonization, from floating toilets to international law. He also shares his journey as a creator, navigating social media shifts, monetizing art, and balancing humor with deep research. If you think space travel is just around the corner, this episode might change your mind.
Zach Weinersmith is a celebrated cartoonist, author, and science communicator best known for his webcomic Saturday Morning Breakfast Cereal (SMBC), which combines sharp humor with deep intellectual themes. He has co-authored bestselling books like Soonish and A City on Mars alongside his wife, Kelly Weinersmith, blending rigorous research with wit. His latest children’s book, Bea Wolf, reimagines Beowulf with a fresh, comedic twist. With a passion for making complex ideas accessible, Zach’s work has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, The Economist, and Forbes. He lives in Charlottesville, Virginia, with his wife and two children.
Link up with Zach Weinersmith:
Website: https://www.smbc-comics.com/
X: https://x.com/zachweiner?lang=en
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smbccomics/?hl=en
Books by Zach Weinersmith:
- A City on Mars (with Kelly Weinersmith) - https://www.acityonmars.com/
- Soonish (with Kelly Weinersmith) - https://amzn.to/4jzLL1Z
- Bea Wolf (children’s graphic novel) - https://amzn.to/3Ej3dYi
Episode highlights:
(2:35) The evolution of social media for creators
(7:08) Building a loyal audience and evolving over time
(14:06) Monetizing art in a changing landscape
(16:44) Zach’s writing and drawing routine
(26:01) Challenges and humor in space colonization
(32:16) Researching and writing A City on Mars with Kelly
(40:55) Assessing the feasibility of space settlement
(46:26) Impact of satellite pollution on Earth
(50:46) Parenting philosophies and nature Vs. Nurture
(56:37) What’s next for Zach Weinersmith?
(57:49) Outro
Connect with Marcus
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcus-arredondo/
- X (Twitter): https://x.com/cus
Scales of Success
- Website: scalesofsuccesspodcast.com
- X (Twitter): https://x.com/scalesofsuccess
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scalesofsuccesspod/
- Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@scalesofsuccess
Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ScalesofSuccess
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